Education in Faith
RE Learning in 1/ 2 HH
Our Gospel Value this term is Acceptance. We have been discussing and exploring what acceptance looks like in our daily lives. We shared the different ways that we can demonstrate acceptance towards people in our lives. The students listened to and reflected on stories from the Bible that are great examples of acceptance. We read 'The Tax Collector' and made the connection that although the tax collector was not a well liked person because of his profession, Jesus accepted everyone. We reflected and shared all the ways that we were unique and illustrated our special traits for our display. This display allows us to stop and be grateful for all of our unique traits.
Sacramental Program for 2024
The letter linked below about the Sacramental Program for 2024, from Fr Brendan, indicates the celebration dates for 2024 and informs parents about the changes to the Sacrament of Reconciliation.
If you have any questions about the information, please do not hesitate to contact the Parish Office.
Family Led Sunday Mass
During 2024 the Parish, in conjunction with the Parish Primary Schools, has planned Family led Sunday Masses. These Masses will be celebrated once a term and be followed by hospitality. They will be a great opportunity for children and their families to be involved in a Sunday Mass within the parish community.
Family Masses will provide an opportunity for families to come together and to support each other in faith. They can particularly be important for families who are presenting their children for Sacraments throughout the year. There may be opportunities to reconnect with our own faith as adults. There may be opportunities to engage with parish life and learn more about the faith, for those who are not so familiar with our local worshiping community. All families are welcome at these family Masses no matter what your religious background or affiliation.
Family Masses have been scheduled at Our Holy Redeemer Church in Surrey Hills for the following Sundays this year:
Sunday, 17 March at 10.30 am
Special invitation to Year 1/2 students and families
Saturday, 18 May at 6.00 pm
Special invitation to Year 3/4 students and families (includes First Eucharist Commitment)
Saturday, 17 August at 6.00 pm
Special invitation to Year 5/6 students and families (includes Confirmation Commitment)
Sunday, 17 November at 10.30 am
Prep and new families for 2025 are particularly invited to this Mass
Mrs Nanette Giovannini will be the parish coordinator of the Family led Masses and will work closely with the schools and parents in order to plan and celebrate these Masses each term.
If you would like to be part of their team or support this new initiative, the parish would be delighted to hear from you. You can contact Nanette at Nanette.Giovannini@cam.org.au
Project Compassion
Project Compassion is Caritas Australia's annual Lenten fundraising and awareness-raising appeal. Millions of Australians come together in solidarity with the world's poor to help end poverty, promote justice and uphold dignity. The theme for this year’s appeal is For all Future Generations.
During Lent our RE Year 5/6 Student Leadership Team will be selling Zooper Dooper icy poles for 50c after school on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 3:15 - 3:30pm at the tuckshop window. All money raised will be donated to Project Compassion. If anybody would like to donate a pack (or more) of Zooper Doopers please bring them to the office. We can look after the freezing for you‼ Please Note - no Zooper Doopers this week due to 5/6 students being on Camp.
Sunday Gospel
The liturgy of the Catholic Church provides a framework for reflection which is used by Catholics throughout the world. Each week in the Newsletter, you will find the Sunday Gospel as well as some discussion questions to have with your child/ren.
A reading from the holy Gospel according to John
Jesus said to Nicodemus:
‘The Son of Man must be lifted up
as Moses lifted up the serpent in the desert,
so that everyone who believes may have eternal life in him.
Yes, God loved the world so much
that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not be lost but may have eternal life.
For God sent his Son into the world
not to condemn the world,
but so that through him the world might be saved.
No one who believes in him will be condemned;
but whoever refuses to believe is condemned already,
because he has refused to believe
in the name of God’s only Son.
On these grounds is sentence pronounced:
that though the light has come into the world
men have shown they prefer
darkness to the light
because their deeds were evil.
And indeed, everybody who does wrong
hates the light and avoids it,
for fear his actions should be exposed;
but the man who lives by the truth
comes out into the light,
so that it may be plainly seen that what he does is done in God.’
Discussion Questions
1. Can you think of a time when you were worried about being in trouble for something you did?
2. Have you been forgiven much easier than you expected?
3. When someone forgives you they show you mercy. How do you feel when someone shows you mercy?
4. Who are some people you know who are merciful?
5. God is merciful. He loves us and does not want to be parted from us. How can we show mercy to others?
Let us pray that we will show others mercy by following God’s example.